Ranking The 25 Best Power Forwards For The 2023-24 NBA Season

• Kevin Durant is the only power forward on this list to win multiple Finals MVP awards in his career

• Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only player on this list to win multiple MVP awards and Defensive Player of the Year

• Draymond Green has the most NBA championships of any player on this list with four

For the last few weeks, we have slowly been releasing our positional power rankings for the 2023-24 NBA season. We began with the point guards where we crowned Stephen Curry as the best heading into next season. We then moved on to the shooting guards where Devin Booker claimed our top spot. Finally, we gave LeBron James the number-one spot for small forwards heading into 2023-24. Now, it is time to rank one of the best positions in the game today, the power forward position. 

In 2023-24, the power forward position in the NBA looks a whole lot different than it did 20 to 30 years ago. The players who make up the top 10 are as versatile as they come on both sides of the ball with newcomers emerging as potential stars every day and with older veterans clinging to their spots amongst them. These 25 power forwards are the best of the best in the NBA, especially when we get to the top 10 and beyond of our list.

These are the top 25 power forwards for the 2023-24 NBA season.

25. Patrick Williams

2022-23 Stats: 10.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Third-year power forward Patrick Williams of the Chicago Bulls saw his role significantly increased in 2022-23. After appearing in just 17 games with nine starts in 2021-22, Williams would be on the court for all 82 games with 65 starts for the Bulls in 2022-23. As a result, Williams had a career year in terms of his offensive output, averaging a career-high 10.2 points per game on 46.4% shooting from the field.

Outside of their Big 3 heading into 2023-24, the Bulls desperately need their role players to step up and provide some support for Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic. This particularly holds true on the offensive side of the ball where the Bulls struggled with the 24th-ranked offense in 2022-23. Williams has the tools to do just that, especially in the paint where he is crafty with his feet and soft touch around the rim.

If Williams can improve his offensive output and make the leap that Chicago fans have been hoping for, the Bulls could be a playoff team next season and beyond.

24. Kevin Love

2022-23 Stats: 8.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG

There was a time when Kevin Love was easily a top-10 power forward in the NBA. That time was not too long ago but those days are long gone now. Love spent the first 41 games of the 2022-23 season with the Cavaliers, where he had been for the previous eight seasons and won a championship in 2016. He averaged 8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in those 41 games before being released and signed by the Miami Heat.

Love would go on to help the Heat make a run to the NBA Finals averaging 6.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in 20 games for Miami in the playoffs. Love is still a serviceable outside shooter as he shot 37.5% in the playoffs in 2022-23 but just 37.8% overall from the field. He is also one who will never back down from challenging and fighting for rebounds in the paint just as he has played his entire career.

Love returned to Miami this offseason and will likely serve in a role off the bench for a Miami team on the cusp of an NBA championship. Love will not have the highest impact in this role but he can still catch fire from three at any moment, making him a weapon that could be utilized in their fast-paced scheme.

23. John Collins

2022-23 Stats: 13.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.0 BPG

In 2022-23, John Collins appeared in 71 games for the Atlanta Hawks and statistically had one of his worst seasons to date. He averaged his lowest points per game since his rookie season in 2017-18 as well as his lowest rebounding total of his career. Where he did show signs of improvement was on the defensive end where he had struggled in years past, showing great lateral movement and instincts to be able to hang with more athletic and stronger players at his position.

In 2023-24, Collins joins a Utah team looking to build on a promising 2022-23 campaign that saw them be much more competitive than they expected to be. The only problem is Utah’s depth chart doesn’t exactly call for another power forward with the presence of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.

Collins will have to fight for a spot in their starting rotation as Markkanen has emerged as an All-Star and Kessler is far too important to what they are trying to do defensively. If Collins is relegated to a role off the bench, he possesses all of the talent it takes to be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate and then some. This, in my opinion, is the best-case scenario for Collins but it will only work if he buys into the role from the beginning.

22. Jarred Vanderbilt

2022-23 Stats: 7.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG

The 2022-23 season was an interesting one for Jarred Vanderbilt from start to finish. He began the season as one of the more underrated players in the NBA with no national attention due to his spot with the Utah Jazz despite being one of the best defenders on the court on any given night. When he was made a part of the deal with the Lakers that landed the Jazz Russell Westbrook, he was immediately recognized as such for his defensive effort that helped the Lakers earn a spot in the NBA playoffs.

Vanderbilt’s versatility and effort on defense shined through for the Lakers as he picked up the most elite guards in the league for 90 feet while also being able to take on bigger forwards on the other end of the floor. Switches did not phase him and matchups did not confuse him as he helped the Lakers advance to the Western Conference Finals as a starter in their constantly changing lineup.

The only knock on Vanderbilt has been his failure to develop an offensive game of any significance thus far in his career. His defense is what is going to be key for the Lakers moving forward, and they clearly believe in him as they signed him to a four-year, $48 million extension in recent days. They are very clearly all-in on his improvement and have faith his offense will come alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the rest of the Lakers core. If he’s anything like the player we saw last year for them, he will play a massive role in their quest for an NBA championship.

21. Miles Bridges

2022-23 Stats: N/A

Due to off-the-court reasons, Hornets forward Miles Bridges missed the entirety of the 2022-23 season. The Hornets definitely missed his presence as they won just 27 games and failed to even qualify for the NBA’s play-in tournament. The last time we saw Bridges on the court was the best season he had ever put forth in his four-year career with 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.

In 2023-24, the Hornets have officially brought him back on a one-year deal and he will most likely begin the season off the bench as he gets reacclimated to their team and an entirely new regime in Charlotte. Bridges will provide an athletic scorer and rebounder that they missed last season. The Hornets hope Bridges can return to his 2022 form and reignite the chemistry between him and point guard LaMelo Ball. With Bridges at his best, the Hornets are a team that can challenge for a play-in spot at a minimum.

20. P.J. Washington

2022-23 Stats: 15.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.1 BPG

One of the reasons there may be a logjam for the Charlotte Hornets in their frontcourt is the emergence of P.J. Washington in 2022-23. Washington played 73 games last season for the Hornets and registered a career-high scoring season with 15.7 points per game on 44.4% shooting from the field.

Washington, heading into his fifth NBA season, showed more maturity in 2022-23 than in years past, showing a willingness to trust his coaches and teammates that he never had before. Of course, this came with some growing pains as well. Washington at just 6’7’’is somewhat undersized for the power forward position and his athleticism lacks to make up for that fact. There is still room to grow as he is just 25 years old and maturing before our very eyes.

The Hornets have a good problem with Bridges returning to the lineup as he and Washington could form a formidable pair in their frontcourt that defenses will have trouble getting a read on. If he can keep up the strong defensive play and improve his offensive game slightly, Charlotte would benefit greatly and get back to their competitive ways in 2023-24.

19. Jabari Smith Jr.

2022-23 Stats: 12.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Jabari Smith Jr. was the third-overall selection by the Houston Rockets in the 2022 NBA Draft following a sensational final year at Auburn. As the beginning of the season wore on in 2022-23, there were many who questioned that pick as Smith struggled to deliver on expectations. By the end of the season, those concerns were all but buried as Smith became one of the more reliable players in the Rockets’ lineup.

Despite his 40.8% shooting overall and 30.7% shooting from three, Smith found different ways to impact a young and growing Rockets team. He began to attack the rim with far more efficiency, finishing in the 80th percentile around the rim among power forwards in the league. He also showed off his defensive skills, providing great length and instincts that can be built upon moving forward in his career.

As it stands, Smith is not going to be the star of the show anytime soon in Houston but there is no doubt his play will have a large impact on their team. With the continued development of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, as well as the additions of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, the pressure on Smith will be minimal in his second year in 2023-24. As he continues to work on his shooting and offensive game, Smith will prove to be a valuable asset down the road.

18. Rui Hachimura

2022-23 Stats: 11.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG

The 2022-23 season was a tale of two halves for Rui Hachimura with the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers. In Washington, Hachimura seemed to be underutilized and undervalued in a room ripe with forwards who were slightly more talented. This opened the door for the Lakers to make a move, bringing him in on a deal that cost them almost nothing and ended up giving them so much more.

Although his numbers would decrease slightly across the board, his impact on the Lakers was never clearer. Hachimura provided periodical offensive bursts in the regular season and playoffs that boosted the Lakers to victory on multiple occasions. His defensive impact improved tremendously as well as he used his length, speed, and size to limit opponents whenever he was on the court.

After re-signing with the Lakers this offseason, it is clear they are going to use both him and Jarred Vanderbilt in a forward-by-committee sense, giving more time to whoever is impacting the team more. Hachimura is going to be a big part of any success this Lakers team has moving forward and is one of the players to keep a close eye on in 2023-24.

17. Keegan Murray

2022-23 Stats: 12.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Of all the reasons that the Sacramento Kings broke their 17-year playoff drought in 2022-23, one of the most surprising ones was the emergence of rookie Keegan Murray. The 22-year-old forward played 80 games for the Kings last season and ranked second on the team in rebounds behind Domantas Sabonis while being a 41.1% three-point shooter at the same time.

Murray was also a big part of their playoff series against the Warriors, and even though they fell in seven games, Murray gave the Kings comfort in knowing that the power forward position was locked up for the foreseeable future. As Murray continues to grow in this system under Mike Brown, he can only get even better from here which spells good news for a Kings team looking to build on their 2023 success. Murray continues to soak in knowledge like a sponge from his teammates and coaches and the changes on the court that he made over the season are evidence of that.

16. Jerami Grant

2022-23 Stats: 20.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG

After one full season with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022-23, Jerami Grant returns in 2023-24 to provide extra firepower for a Portland frontcourt that needs it in the worst way. Last season, Grant averaged over 20.0 points for just the second time in his career and shot the ball at one of the highest rates in his career at 47.5%.

The Trail Blazers clearly have bigger issues at the moment, but can take some solace in knowing they have a true scorer at the power forward spot heading into 2023-24. Regardless of what happens with Damian Lillard, Portland can relax knowing that whoever they bring in to replace him will probably work well with Grant in the frontcourt.

Grant has been tremendous on offense both off the dribble and as a slasher off the ball over the last few seasons, taking the steps necessary to improve his game on that front. Grant is not the player who can pull the Trail Blazers out of the bottom all by himself but it certainly makes management’s job easier to do with someone like him to build around in the frontcourt.

15. Kyle Kuzma

2022-23 Stats: 21.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Since coming over from the Lakers to the Wizards in 2021, Kyle Kuzma has become the player that Lakers fans always wished he would be in L.A. In 2022-23, he averaged a career-high 21.2 points per game on 44.8% shooting overall and added much better defensive ability than in years past to his game.

His instincts and mobility with and without the ball in his hands have been at the forefront of these changes. He has displayed excellent footwork and touch in the paint since coming over to Washington and embracing the power forward role on a full-time basis. While he has shown he can be a streaky passer and shooter, the improvements are night and day from his days as an NBA champion in Los Angeles. The Wizards do not yet look like a team that will be competing for a playoff spot in 2023-24 but if they were to make any type of noise, it would be Kyle Kuzma playing the loudest among their entire roster to get them to that point.

14. Kristaps Porzingis

2022-23 Stats: 23.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.5 BPG

Heading into the 2022-23 season, Kristaps Porzingis had only appeared in at least 60 games twice in his career and hadn’t done so since the 2017 season with the Knicks. After calls of washed-up and injury-prone began to surround him, Porzinigis answered with 65 games played and his best overall year since his 2018 All-Star campaign.

Porzingis appeared in 65 games last year and averaged a career-high 23.2 points per game on 49.8% shooting and 38.5% shooting from three. This career season helped him land a large deal with the Celtics this past offseason worth over $36 million in 2023-24 and around $30 million in each of the two seasons to follow.

With Boston, Porzingis provides exactly what Boston has been missing the last two seasons to take them over the top as NBA champions. As a 7-footer who can spread the floor while simultaneously providing incredible interior defense, Porzingis will be an Al Horford-like player to their already stable frontcourt. Porzingis is a bit younger and more agile, giving Boston a leg up heading into the season. The only concern is the health of his foot after developing plantar fasciitis this summer. If he can remain healthy, then Boston can remain one of the favorites to represent the East once again in the NBA Finals.

13. Draymond Green

2022-23 Stats: 8.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Seeing Draymond Green this low on our list may come as a shock to many, and I want to be clear that I have the utmost respect for Draymond Green and what he has done to become a four-time NBA champion and one of the best defenders and playmakers in the modern NBA. However, it is not 2017 anymore and we have to begin to face a reality that many may not be ready to face just yet.

That reality is that Green is not getting any younger and what he once provided in those areas previously mentioned has taken a step backwards. With that being said, Green is still the engine that makes the Golden State Warriors go with his outstanding basketball IQ on both sides of the ball. His patience and precision as a playmaker is topped by very few in the NBA right now as is the way in which he controls and directs the defense.

We saw what the deficiencies in his game that cost the Warriors their second-round playoff matchup with the Lakers, among other reasons. Even though this is true, Green still is a leader of men on the court and one that all 29 other teams would love to have in their locker room. As long as he is providing those things and remains diligent in his ways, the Warriors will always have a chance at becoming NBA champions once again.

12. Aaron Gordon

2022-23 Stats: 16.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG

After a 2022-23 season that resulted in an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets, Aaron Gordon takes a massive leap forward in our rankings for the 20223-24 season. Gordon had, in my opinion, the best season of his career last season and it showed with every passing moment in the NBA playoffs.

Although he averaged 13.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in the NBA playoffs, it was his defensive efforts that shined through and helped the Nuggets reach the pinnacle of the NBA. With every passing game and series, Gordon took on the challenge of matching up with every opponent’s most lethal offensive threat, holding players like LeBron James and Anthony Edwards to their lowest-producing games in the playoffs.

The Nuggets are going to need this type of play from Gordon for the entirety of 2023-24 as they deal with the losses of players like Jeff Green and Bruce Brown. As Gordon showed last year, he is going to be up to the task, and if Denver is to repeat as NBA champions, Gordon’s play will have a lot to do with that success.

11. Julius Randle

2022-23 Stats: 25.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG

In 2022-23, Julius Randle and the New York Knicks had one of their best seasons in a long time. Randle would earn his second career All-Star appearance while leading the Knicks in scoring and rebounding. His play helped the Knicks advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Although their season would end disappointingly to the Miami Heat in that round, Randle provided some extra comfort for the future as New York navigates a tough Eastern Conference. His playmaking and scoring alongside Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett give New York a serious 1-2-3 punch that teams cannot afford to underestimate for one minute on the court.

Randle has a serious argument to be a top 10 power forward in the NBA, and in many ways, he should be on our list. The only concerts I have are with his effort on defense and his seemingly innate ability to disappear when the Knicks have needed him most. If he can tweak these things and fully engulf himself in the Knicks’ plans moving forward, New York will be in a position to repeat or even further their success from 2022-23.

10. Evan Mobley

2022-23 Stats: 16.2 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG

Ever since arriving in the NBA in 2021-22, Evan Mobley has shown why the Cleveland Cavaliers are so invested in building around him for the future. With him in their frontcourt, along with additions at guard and Jarrett Allen at center, the Cavaliers have been a playoff team with aspirations for much more as time goes on.

In 2022-23, Mobley earned his first All-Defensive Team selection which was well-deserved considering the job he did against some of the league’s premier big men and small forwards on the defensive end. Mobley continued to improve across the board as a scorer and rebounder as well, showing that as he continues to get better, the Cavaliers will benefit even more.

In 2023-24, I expect Mobley to take an even bigger leap into All-Star form giving Cleveland one of the best overall frontcourts in basketball. If he can become a 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game player along with his elite defense, the Cavaliers can bet on their team being a serious championship contender rather than a first-round exit once again.

9. Paolo Banchero

2022-23 Stats: 20.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG

The Orlando Magic made Paolo Banchero their first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. By the end of the 2022-23 season, it was clear they made the correct choice as Banchero became the first 20.0 points per game scorer as a rookie since LeBron James and took home the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award.

What shocked me most about Banchero’s rookie campaign was the maturity with which he approached the game like a seasoned veteran. He took over games when he needed to and relinquished those duties as he needed to along the way. Banchero made it clear that he and Fraz Wagner are exactly who the Magic should build around moving forward, and it looks like that is what they will do.

For me, I am looking at the Magic as a serious championship contender over the next five to seven years with Banchero being the player to elevate them to that level. If he continues to improve on his versatility as an offensive player while also providing strong off and on-ball defenses, that take could come true much sooner than I anticipated.

8. Lauri Markkanen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3FV1R012zw

2022-23 Stats: 25.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG

When Lauri Markkanen was sent to the Utah Jazz last offseason as a part of the deal for Donovan Mitchell, I don’t even think Utah anticipated what was coming. In an unexpected outburst, Markkanen became a first-time All-Star averaging over 25.5 points per game on 49.9% shooting overall and 39.1% shooting from three on over 7.5 attempts.

It wasn’t just the amount that he was scoring that was so impressive to watch but the way he was getting it done that left all of us stunned. Markkanen displayed incredible control of both his shot selection and ball control with the rock in his hands that had us all exclaiming, “Where did this come from?”. For his efforts, he ran away with the NBA’s Most Improved Player award with hopes for Utah that their rebuild would be a much quicker process with him involved.

I do not expect Utah to keep pace in an extremely competitive Western Conference but I do expect them to be a lot better than most predictions seem to have them. This will be true only if Markkanen can maintain or improve on his play from last year. From what I have seen, there are no reasons to believe that will not be exactly what happens in 2023-24.

7. Pascal Siakam

2022-23 Stats: 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 5.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG

The Toronto Raptors had a disappointing 2022-23 season, missing the playoffs altogether as they stumbled to a 41-41 record overall and had their hopes dashed in the play-in tournament. This was not any fault of Pascal Siakam who had both his second All-Star and All-NBA season since 2020.

Siakam showed once again why he is a top-10 power forward in this league with his ability to score, rebound, and make plays for others among the elite power forwards in the game. For the second straight season, he led the NBA in minutes played while missing just 11 games, the most he has played since the magical 2019 NBA championship.

With a new coaching staff and the departure of Fred VanVleet, it will be Siakam who is looked upon to step up as this team’s leader in 2023-24. Hopefully, he can be the catalyst for the growth of young stars such as Scottie Barnes who showed signs of regression in his second season. When it all goes right, he will be praised for the turnaround. If it all goes south, he will be the one to shoulder the blame. With a leader like that, the Raptors should embrace everything he provides full force in order to become a playoff team once again.

6. Jaren Jackson Jr.

2022-23 Stats: 18.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.0 BPG

For the second season in a row in 2022-23, Jaren Jackson Jr. had an elite defensive season. This time, as he took home his second straight blocks title with 3.0 blocks per game, Jackson was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year after helping lead the Grizzlies to the second-best record in the Western Conference.

Of course, foul trouble was a big issue for Jackson who is known for the gambles he makes on help from the weak side. Although that is an issue, fixing it just comes with maturity and understanding of the issue. On offense, Jackson improved as a scorer, averaging a career-high 18.6 points per game while shooting 50.6% from the field overall, another career-high as well.

In 2023-24, Jackson will be one of the main players looked at to help the Grizzlies navigate their first 25 games without Ja Morant as he serves a suspension to begin the year. Jackson is capable of taking on that challenge as he has had to do before in Morant’s absence. If he is able to continue to provide elite defense and even a slightly improved offensive game, Memphis should be in great shape by the time Morant returns in order to compete deeper into the playoffs than in their last two seasons.

5. Zion Williamson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7tqgK_7Kok

2022-23 Stats: 26.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG

If you believe that Zion Williamson’s ranking in the top-five power forwards for 2023-24 is too high, I can’t argue with you at this point. Zion has missed 135 games since 2021 and has been criticized for being out of basketball shape tirelessly. Still, from what I have seen when he is healthy, Zion still has all of the ability and time to be top-five in the NBA.

When healthy, Zion Williamson is capable of being an elite scorer, rebounder, and defender while pursuing All-Star selections and All-NBA Team selections on an individual level. On a team level for the Pelicans, he can be the catalyst for a team worthy of championship aspirations. The only issue now is to remain healthy long enough for all of these outlandish predictions to come true.

4. Karl-Anthony Towns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iSyN5YMXh0

2022-23 Stats: 20.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG

The 2022-23 season was a hard one to watch for Karl-Anthony Towns, mostly because he missed 53 games. Towns struggled with injury and fit in the Timberwolves’ system as they once again qualified for the NBA playoffs on the backs of Anthony Edwards and company. Towns would return for the playoffs, averaging 18.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets.

The 2023-24 season is full of expectations for the Timberwolves as they head into the second year with Towns and Gobert as their starting frontcourt. With Towns healthy, this team has the chance to make a lot more noise than they did last season as serious playoff and possibly even championship contenders. They will need to add a few more pieces via trade or otherwise, so they can catch up with the more elite teams in the West.

Towns definitely gives Minnesota an advantage for the 2023-24 season but it will be all about how they perform on the court to see if it will pay off.

3. Anthony Davis

2022-23 Stats: 25.9 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.0 BPG

The season ahead for Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers is one that will be under the most scrutiny so far in his career. After injuries pretty much ruined Davis’ and the Lakers’ chances at a championship in 2021 and 2022, Davis had a comeback season of sorts in 2022-23. Although he would miss 26 games, Davis made up for it with a playoff run for the ages that nearly delivered another title to the City of Angels.

In 16 playoff starts, Davis averaged 22.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game to help his team advance to the Western Conference Finals. With his incredible two-way play, we named him the best such player in 2022-23, and rightfully so. Even though the Lakers fell short, Davis reminded us all why it was too soon to count him out and set himself up for a big 2023-24 season ahead.

In 2023-24, I am looking for Davis to forcibly take the reins from LeBron James and make the Lakers his team moving forward. Everything the Lakers do on both ends of the floor has to run through a healthy Davis if they are to get over the hump and get back to the NBA Finals. As we have seen, he can be that player when the Lakers allow him to be. Let’s hope people much smarter than me see the same things ahead for him.

2. Kevin Durant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMr9l2vX4L8

2022-23 Stats: 29.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, 0.3 SPG, 1.3 BPG

In 2022-23, Kevin Durant began the season as a member of the Brooklyn Nets and ended it as a member of the Phoenix Suns. Combined, he had one of the most efficient scoring seasons in NBA history as he averaged over 29.0 points per game on 55/40/90 shooting, the first such season of its kind.

Although the 2023 season ended in disappointment with a blowout loss in Game 6 of the second round against Denver, Phoenix heads into the 2023-24 season as one of the favorites for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The main reason for that is the presence of Durant next to elite scorers like himself such as Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to form the most potent Big 3 in 2023-24.

With his improved defensive ability and playmaking as he gets older, Durant has become so much more than an elite scorer. With the attention he will draw on offense, Durant can hone those skills even more to get the other two even more involved and light up the scoreboard. If he and his teammates can fully buy into this three-headed monster they have created while improving their overall defensive play as a team, the sky’s the limit for the Suns this year.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo

2022-23 Stats: 31.1 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG

The selection of Giannis Antetokounmpo as our number-one power forward heading into 2023-24 was the easiest selection we have made yet in our positional rankings thus far. For the last few seasons, Giannis has ranked toward the top of the NBA as a whole in terms of individual players and is clearly the class of the position all on his own.

Giannis possesses an elite two-way talent that very few players have the capability of tapping into in the NBA right now. In 2022-23, he averaged over 30.0 points per game for the first time in his career while remaining one of the best rebounders and defenders in the league. The season would become a massive failure in the playoffs as they fell to the Heat in the first round, but don’t let Antetokounmpo hear you say that.

This offseason, Giannis issued an ultimatum to the Bucks and their management, noting a need to consistently compete for a championship in order to keep him in Milwaukee. Well, that journey begins and ends with both his playing ability and health, seeing as his injury during the playoffs prohibited them from getting it done in 2022-23. As long as Giannis remains an MVP candidate, as he will this season, the Bucks are championship contenders just as any team would be with him on the court. It will be up to him to take control of the situation once more and return to the top of the mountain as an NBA champion.

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